New Delhi, 23 July (H.S.):

Indian Railways has approved the construction of a 14.52-km third railway line between Nimpura West Outer Cabin and Midnapore on the South Eastern Railway network. The project, estimated to cost Rs 440 crore, is expected to significantly improve passenger and freight train operations while enhancing freight-carrying capacity on one of the railway's heavily utilised corridors.

The Ministry of Railways said on Thursday that the project forms part of Indian Railways' broader capacity expansion plan for high-density rail corridors. It aims to meet the growing demand for passenger and freight transportation, improve operational efficiency, and ensure the seamless movement of industrial goods and essential commodities.

According to the Ministry, the proposed third line will extend 14.52 kilometres from Nimpura West Outer Cabin to Midnapore and is part of the High Utilisation Network (HUN-2). At present, the Nimpura West Outer Cabin–Gokulpur section is a single-line route, while doubling work is already in progress. The addition of a third line will substantially increase the capacity and operational flexibility of this strategically important railway corridor.

The route carries both passenger trains and a wide range of freight, including manganese, iron ore, containers, coal, clinker, iron pellets, steel, wheat, stone, railway sleepers, slag, salt, rice, petroleum products, limestone, gypsum, fertilisers, edible oil, cement, and other essential commodities. The corridor currently handles approximately 23.80 million tonnes of freight annually (MTPA).

The Ministry stated that line capacity utilisation on this section has already reached 115.71 per cent, indicating severe congestion. The construction of the third line is expected to ease traffic bottlenecks, facilitate smoother movement of passenger and freight trains, and improve the overall reliability of the railway network.

Upon completion, the project will create an additional freight-handling capacity of 3.52 million tonnes per annum. This will accelerate the transportation of coal, iron ore, steel, cement and other key commodities, reduce operational constraints, and provide industries and commercial establishments with improved rail connectivity.

According to the Ministry of Railways, the project marks another significant step in Indian Railways' ongoing efforts to expand capacity and develop a modern, efficient, and future-ready rail network.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar